Clinical Policy: Benign Skin Lesion Removal Reference Number: HNCA.CP.MP.150 Effective Date: 6/04 Coding Implications Last Review Date: 10/20 Revision Log See Important Reminder at the end of this policy for important regulatory and legal information. Description This policy describes the medical necessity guidelines for removal of benign skin lesions. This refers to non-cancerous growths that have become problematic depending on potential changes in their characteristics, the size, location, pressure on nearby blood vessels, nerves or organs. Policy/Criteria I. It is the policy of Health Net of California that removal of benign skin lesions is medically necessary, and not cosmetic, when any of the following is met and is clearly documented in the medical record: A. The lesion is symptomatic as documented by any of the following: 1. Intense itching; or 2. Burning; or 3. Irritation; or 4. Pain; or 5. Tenderness; or 6. Chronic, recurrent or persistent bleeding; or 7. Physical evidence of inflammation (e.g., purulence, oozing, edema, erythema, etc.). B. The lesion demonstrates a significant change in color or size; C. The lesion obstructs an orifice or clinically restricts vision; D. There is clinical uncertainty as to the likely diagnosis, particularly where malignancy is a realistic consideration based on lesional appearance, change in appearance and/or non- response to conventional treatment; E. The lesion is likely to turn malignant as documented by medical peer-reviewed literature; F. A biopsy suggests the possibility of lesional malignancy; G. The lesion is in an anatomical region subjected to recurrent physical trauma that has in fact occurred and objective evidence of such injury or the potential for such injury is documented. H. In addition to any indication in A-G above, wart removal is also necessary for any of the following: 1. Periocular warts associated with chronic recurrent conjunctivitis thought secondary to lesion virus shedding; or 3. Warts showing evidence of spread from one body area to another, particularly in immunosuppressed patients; or 4. Lesions are condyloma acuminate, or 5. Cervical dysplasia or pregnancy associated with genital warts. II. It is the policy of Health Net of California that removal of benign skin lesions is not medically necessary for any of the following: Page 1 of 10 CLINICAL POLICY Benign Skin Lesion Removal A. Lesions in sensitive anatomic locations that are non-problematic do not qualify for removal coverage on the basis of location alone; or B. Rosacea; or C. Vascular proliferative disorders. III. It is the policy of Health Net of California that the following treatments for the destruction of correctly diagnosed actinic keratoses, also known as solar keratoses, are medically necessary as they are considered to be premalignant lesions with a low but real possibility of malignant transformation: A. Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy 1. Most common treatment, usually recommended for treatment of solitary lesions or small numbers of scattered lesions and/or thin, well-demarcated lesions B. Topical drug therapy (e.g. 5-fluorouracil, Imiquimod, Diclofenac, ingenol mebutate gel) 1. Recommended for individuals with more than 15 actinic keratoses 2. Anatomic location of the lesions impacts response time. AK’s of the face respond the quickest, whereas lesions on the arms usually take the longest to respond. C. Any of the following treatment for multiple actinic keratoses is considered medically necessary when there is failure to adequately respond to topical 5-FU or cryosurgery: 1. Laser skin resurfacing therapy 2. Chemical peel 3. Dermabrasion IV. It is the policy Health Net of California that photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick) and exposure to blue light is medically necessary for non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses of the face and scalp. Repeat treatment may be necessary after 8 weeks. V. It is the policy of Health Net of California that photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical aminolevulinic acid (e.g. Ameluz, Metvixia) followed by exposure to a red light source is medically necessary when other therapies are unacceptable or considered medically less appropriate. VI. It is the policy of Health Net of California that electrodessication and curettage or full- thickness excision of actinic keratoses is rarely medically necessary. However, excisional biopsy of actinic keratoses (AKS) may be considered medically necessary when the following criteria are met: A. There is bleeding, induration, rapid growth or pain, which suggest progression to squamous cell carcinoma; and B. The lesion does not respond to treatment. VII. It is the policy of Health Net of California that removal of skin lesions to improve appearance is not medically necessary. Removal of certain benign skin lesions that do not pose a threat to health or function are considered cosmetic, and as such, are not medically Page 2 of 10 CLINICAL POLICY Benign Skin Lesion Removal necessary. In the absence of any of the above indications, removal of seborrheic keratoses, sebaceous cysts, nevi (moles) or skin tags is considered cosmetic. Background Benign skin lesions include seborrheic keratoses, sebaceous (epidermoid) cysts, skin tags, milia (keratin-filled cysts), nevi (moles), acquired hyperkeratosis (keratoderma), papillomas, hemangiomas and viral warts. Lesions that are suspicious for malignancy, those with changing characteristics or symptomatic lesions may warrant various procedures (e.g., excision, cryosurgery, laser ablation, etc.), and possible referral to a specialist. The International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology (ISPTD, 2005) states: there is sufficient evidence of long-term efficacy to support the use of PDT for large, extensive, and multiple superficial BCC lesions. Similarly, there is sufficient evidence of long-term efficacy that methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)-PDT is an effective treatment for nodular BCC, preferably with thin lesions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2006) has a Guidance on ' Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions)' which makes the following recommendations: evidence of efficacy for photodynamic therapy for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease and actinic (solar) keratosis is adequate to support its use for these conditions, provided that the normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance. The British Journal of Dermatology (McKenna et al 2008) notes that with evidence there is recommendations and clinical indications for: topical photodynamic therapy in dermatology, for thin and moderate thickness actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma. These are rated with strength of recommendation A, and quality of evidence 1, which refers to a strong recommendation that Clinicians should follow unless a clear and compelling rationale for an alternative approach is present. There is insufficient published peer-reviewed evidence to support the removal of benign skin lesions, including rosacea or vascular proliferative lesions in sensitive anatomic locations that are non-problematic. In addition, studies have noted that removal of skin lesions to improve the appearance alone, would be considered cosmetic. Coding Implications This clinical policy references Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®). CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. All CPT codes and descriptions are copyrighted 2015, American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT codes and CPT descriptions are from the current manuals and those included herein are not intended to be all-inclusive and are included for informational purposes only. Codes referenced in this clinical policy are for informational purposes only. Inclusion or exclusion of any codes does not guarantee coverage. Providers should reference the most up-to-date sources of professional coding guidance prior to the submission of claims for reimbursement of covered services. Page 3 of 10 CLINICAL POLICY Benign Skin Lesion Removal Not an all inclusive list CPT® Description Codes 11200 Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; up to and including 15 lesions 11201 each additional ten lesions (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure 11300 Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less 11301 lesion diameter 0.6 to1.0 cm 11302 lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm 11303 lesion diameter over 2.0 cm 11305 Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, scalp, neck, hands, genitalia; lesion diameter 0.5 cm 11306 lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm 11307 lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm 11308 lesion diameter over 2.0 cm 11310 Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; lesion diameter 0.5 cm or less 11311 lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm 11312 lesion diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm 11313 lesion diameter over 2.0 cm 11400 Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 0.5 or less 11401 excised diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm 11402 excised diameter 1.1 to 2.0 cm 11403 excised diameter 2.1 to 3.0 cm 11404 excised diameter 3.1 to 4.0 cm 11406 excised diameter over 4.0 cm 11420 Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less 11421 excised
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